Paper Talk

What happens when an online community finally meets in person? In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara welcome two members of the Paper to Profits Mastermind , Cher Lutz and Sandy Goetz, who joined us for our first in-person retreat in Seattle.   We share our favorite moments from the weekend: a first night of wine, cheese, and easy conversation, practicing our elevator pitches over lunch (y...

For the first time in nine seasons, we are turning the mic over to you! In this rapid-fire Q&A, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara answer questions sent in by listeners, Mastermind participants, and friends. We talk about what we wish we knew before going full time with our art, whether you need to be "artsy" to become a paper flower artist, and exactly where we buy our crepe paper and cardstock in the U...

It's here, Episode 200. Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim kick off Season 9 of Paper Talk Podcast by pausing to celebrate a milestone eight years in the making, and to tell you exactly why we’re devoting this whole season to celebrating your wins.   We take a trip back to where it all started, a paper flower masterclass in Seattle in April 2018, where makers flew in from all over the wo...

Quynh, Sara, and Jessie close out Season 8 of Paper Talk Podcast with a heartfelt recap of their favorite guests, paper flower business lessons, and news on Episode 200. It's officially a wrap on Season 8, the longest season Paper Talk Podcast has ever recorded at 25 episodes! In this finale, hosts Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui sit down to reflect on the season's theme of community, revi...

Quynh, Jessie, and Sara go behind the scenes of their paper flower mastermind, sharing what three cohorts have taught them about accountability, imposter syndrome, and building a creative business for the long haul. In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara step away from guest interviews to talk directly to you about something they don’t often unpack on the podcast: their mastermind community, Pap...

Quynh, Jessie, and Sara share what's next in their paper flower careers: a museum wall installation at the San Diego Natural History Museum, Jessie's first solo gallery show, and a Day of the Dead paper flower headpiece workshop in Mexico City with Hitomi Gilliam. Season 8 is winding down and episode 197 finds Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim catching each other up on the biggest paper flow...

Poy T. Granati of Summer Space Studio returns to Paper Talk Podcast for her third appearance, joining co-hosts Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim. If you have followed Paper Talk for a while, you will recognize Poy from Episode 8 , where we first introduced her, and Episode 135 , our Pinterest deep dive that is still one of our most referenced episodes for paper flower artists building organi...

Hand-delivering a paper flower arrangement looks simple from the outside, until you are standing in your driveway realizing the giant blooms you spent weeks building will not fit in your downsized car. In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara open up about their real-world transport systems, the trial-and-error moments that shaped them, and the surprisingly small tools that make a big difference....

When Carrissa Wu signed the lease on her first studio in a Fremantle warehouse, she remembers thinking, “What have I done?” She had just quit a stable corporate job at a Perth casino, had a growing stack of Etsy orders for paper flower bouquets, and a long list of dreams she had written down in that tiny first space: work with the King’s Park Botanic Gardens, get featured in Frankie magazine, buil...

You got the inquiry. Now what? Whether it lands in your inbox from a bride-to-be, a corporate event planner, or a brand partnership manager, how you respond to that very first message can make or break the sale. In this quick but packed episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara break down their real-world strategies for handling three types of client inquiries: bridal, corporate, and brand collaborations....

In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara sit down with Laura Richey, the Ontario-based artist behind Pucker Up Paper Lips and 2 CLVR Designs . Laura has been in the paper flower world for over 12 years, creating everything from thousands of card stock roses for Lancome to sculptural paper lips that have caught the attention of celebrities including Britney Spears. Laura opens up about how COVID up...

Ever wondered why some creative businesses feel more trustworthy than others? In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara get real about websites, the power of putting your name out there, and why your online presence matters more than you think.   "If I go onto your Instagram and I don't see your full name somewhere, there's a lack of credibility there. I'm not going to trust you. I don't know...

She’s been on the Paper Talk Podcast not once, not twice, but three times now, and for good reason. Margie Keates of The Lovely Ave is one of the paper flower community’s most beloved artists, known for her stunning crepe paper blooms, her gorgeous still life collections, and her warm, genuine presence online. But this episode is different from the ones that came before. In this deeply vulnerable...

Have you ever wondered how we capture those beautiful shots of our paper flowers? In this episode, Quynh, Jessie, and Sara pull back the curtain on their photography and videography equipment, settings, and creative processes. Sara shares her daily filming routine and why she shoots the same action from multiple angles. Jessie breaks down her camera choices and explains why the person behind the l...

What happens when the hustle slows down and you're left wondering if you should get a teaching credential instead? In this raw and honest conversation, Quynh, Sara, and Jessie open up about the parts of running a creative business we don't usually talk about: the financial worries, the seasonal doubts, and the struggle to keep going when your energy isn't the same.   "I feel like every year i...

In Episode 187 of Paper Talk, your hosts Quynh Nguyen , Jessie Chui , and Sara Kim unpack one of the hardest but most necessary conversations for artists: branding, identity, and growth beyond technical skill. We reflect on what happens when everyone’s work starts to look the same, why burnout often stems from misalignment, and how honest outside feedback can shift everything. We talk about naming...

In Episode 186 of Paper Talk , we welcome the incomparable floral designer and educator,  Hitomi Gilliam for a deeply thoughtful conversation on floral mechanics, Ikebana, color theory, and what it truly means to make flowers feel alive. Hitomi brings decades of experience in floristry, Ikebana, and teaching to our discussion. In it, she   shares how “economy of means” shapes her wo...

How niche should you be as a creative? In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast , Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim sit down for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about niching down. They reflect on how their businesses have evolved, the challenges of serving multiple audiences, and the clarity that comes from defining who you are truly creating for.   “Teaching art and selling art...

Welcome to 2026! Hosts Quynh Nguyen , Sara Kim , and Jessie Chui reflect on the highlights of 2025 and share how they’re approaching the new year with renewed purpose. From their favorite podcast moments to candid conversations about burnout, community, and social media, this episode offers a genuine look at what it means to balance artistry with entrepreneurship. Quynh opens up about personal cha...

In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh, Jessie, and Sara sit down with Karina Golindo , the creative mind behind Crafty Kari , to talk about the intersection of crafting, content creation, and entrepreneurship. From sublimation to YouTube tutorials, Karina shares how her creative journey began with a Cricut during lockdown and evolved into a thriving business and online community.    “Don...

In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim dive into the art and philosophy of creating your own paper flower templates. What begins as a practical discussion quickly blooms into a conversation about creativity, confidence, and the evolution of each artist’s personal style. They explore how templates serve as both a foundation and a springboard, and how learning from o...

When we think of paper flowers, we often imagine something small, intricate, and realistic. But what happens when you scale that beauty up tenfold? In this episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui explore the bold, beautiful world of large paper flowers  and the practical realities that come with going big.   Listen to this Episode to learn: Why large flowers requi...

In this festive episode of Paper Talk , Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui share their best tips for preparing your creative business for the busiest time of the year. From managing orders and planning downtime to hosting workshops, packaging ideas, and navigating Black Friday sales, this episode is packed with holiday wisdom. We discuss how far in advance to plan seasonal events, the importa...

In this episode of Paper Talk Podcast, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim sit down with Francis Zierer of Creator Spotlight to explore one of the most fascinating questions in today’s digital world: What is a creator? Francis shares how his definition has evolved, drawing from his work at Beehive and hundreds of interviews with creators across industries. Together, we explore the blurred line...

In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim explore the value of artist talks: those special moments when artists step out from behind their work and share the story, process, and heart behind their creations.   “Sometimes it’s as simple as educating your audience in what we do. You’ll be surprised at how curious people are.” - Sara    Here's what we dive...